Crushing on Pantone’s color of the year: Tangerine Tango

Pantone has decreed that 2012 is the year of Tangerine Tango, which they describe as “a spirited reddish orange that continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.”

I couldn’t agree more. It doesn’t hurt that I’ve been nurturing an orange obsession for years. It’s a bright look-at-me neutral. Yes, a neutral. That may sound like a contradiction, but it’s a color that amazingly goes with everything. Plus you don’t have to wear it head to toe in order to feel its power. A little pop of orange goes a long way.

If you’re not brave enough to wear it, a little bit of orange around the house will update even the most boring space. It’s a color that works everywhere. And here are a few ideas to get you to tiptoe into the world of tangerine tango, a little bit at a time.

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If you’re not ready to invest in pricey orange accessories, this patent skinny belt from ASOS will give you an orange pop for very little money — it’s only $10!

This print by Amanda Helmer would
look lovely over my desk. It would also work wonderfully in the
playroom, so I can keep things in perspective as the kids throw LEGOs
left and right.

Don’t think of orange as just a tropical color for summer. The Dupatta scarf by matta is cozy and a great way to brighten up dark winter days.

The classic schoolgirl satchel by the Cambridge Satchel Company gets an exciting update in bright tangerine. You can pick one up stateside at ASOS or the backpack version at J. Crew.

And for a piece that is both pretty and practical, I love this magnetic board by Livy Lou Designs. It’s a nice way to keep organized and brighten up the walls.

I hope I’ve convinced you to love Tangerine, at least a little. Here’s to a bright 2012! — Roxanna